I did my best to help Jacob inside, but in reality it felt more like I was dragging him. I was gripping him for dear life, perhaps not for his but perhaps for mine.

Nicole jumped ahead of us, holding her gun out stretched as if she were imitating a cop on television. I would have internally groaned had I had the time and energy, but as long as she was being careful she could be as dramatic as she wanted.

Jacob was my primary concern.

The door was unlocked which I thanked fate for as it saved me time. The power was out, unfortunately, but with the sunlight streaming through the window you wouldn't be able to tell all that much.

"Nic, check for zombies. Callie, help her." I instructed as I helped Jacob onto the great big blue couch in the living room.

I didn't want Callie to see what I was doing.

"Hey, you're gonna be fine." I gave Jacob a weak smile as I noticed how pale and sweaty his face was.

"I know. You're the one freaking out here." But he winced as he spoke.

"I wish I had some pain meds for you." I muttered. I looked up. "Nic, search the bathroom and see what kinds of medication is in there."

Jacob gave me a look as I tore open the first aid kit.

"Anything is better than nothing." I commented. "I'm gonna have to take off your shirt."

I would've smacked him for the look he gave me just then, had he not already been injured. I rolled my eyes.

"Glad to see your sense of humor is intact."

I tried to make quick work of it, my hands steady somehow, but it internally I was being held together with duct tape.

Normally, I was better under pressure, at least when it came to injuries, but the fact that it was Jacob had me rattled. I was always the one getting hurt, but now it was him.

No more... Please, no more. I wouldn't be able to keep it together if it happened again to either Nicole or Callie or Jacob. I was so attached to them and it was completely unfortunate as I had tried so hard not to care.

I had shot someone for him though. To protect the girls, as revenge for hurting him, and because I had an instinctive need to act against someone who would threaten them.

I pulled gauze from the first aid kit as I finished treating his bullet wound. I had been lost in thought, but only enough so to keep myself from panicking. I had done the job as I needed to and Jacob would be fine.

"House is all clear." Nicole said, bringing Callie into the living room, relaxing her gun.

"So, Doc, will I live?" Jacob gave me a weak smile.

I rolled my eyes. "I think you'll manage. You're gonna want to eat something. And drink up too. We're probably going to have to spend the night here while you recover."

Aurora Hills and my uncles house wasn't more than an hour or two drive away, but Jacob was in no condition to travel. I just had to hope we'd be safe for the night.

"We're not staying here." Jacob sat up on his elbow, accidentally putting a lot of pressure on the shoulder where he'd been shot.

"Yes, we are. Doctor's orders." I shoved a pillow behind his back and gently pushed him into it. "You need rest. You've been shot."

"You didn't rest when you were shot. Either time!"

"I was grazed and didn't lose as much blood as you did." I turned to Nicole. "Nic, you mind getting Jacob some water and some snacks from the car?"

Nicole shrugged but went outside.

"Yeah, well, we could get hurt worse if we stay. What if that chick recognizes Ducky? Then we're screwed. She could have her whole gang of buddies up our asses."

"Jacob, we can't rely on what ifs."

"Locke, we're not far from our destination. I'll be safer there, we'll all be safer there, you'll get to see your brother again, and hopefully your uncles will let us rest up for a while so I can recover there."

I grumbled. "They would."

"Why don't we put it to a vote. I vote we go now." He raised his arm, the uninjured one this time, fortunately.

Callie didn't raise her hand, looking at me worriedly.

"Well I vote we stay." I raised my hand.

Callie fidgeted some more. "Can I stay out of it?"

I folded my arms. "Fine. I guess we let Nic decide."

"I guess we will." Jacob mock glared at me.

When Nicole walked back in, arms full of bottles of water and bags of snacks, I immediately drew her into the conversation. "Nic, will you please tell Jacob that he's in no condition to drive?"

"Nic, won't you please tell Locke that it would be a bad idea to stay here?"

Nicole dumped her armful of goodies onto Jacob's legs. "Jacob, it would be dumb of you to drive in that condition."

"Thank you—"

"Erica, we're too close to those weirdos and Jacob's car sticks out like a sore thumb. It would be dangerous to stay here any longer than we have to."

Jacob stuck out his tongue at me.

"So what's your vote? Are we staying or going?" I asked.

"If Jacob's up for it I say we go." Nicole crossed her arms.

Jacob pumped his fist. "Yes! Nic, Hans me my keys."

"You're not driving. I stand by what I said. You can sit in the back. I'll drive."

"Nic, are you sure—" I began, but she cut me off.

"I'm gonna drive. You'll be too worried about jackass here to focus. You can keep him company in the backseat, while I drive."

"Do you know where we're going?" I asked.

"Vaguely. It's not like you can't guide me from back there."

I couldn't argue with her on that.

After letting Jacob snack and rest for a few more minutes we loaded up into the car.

On our way to Aurora Hills, and my brother... If he was still there.

Sooooo... Long time no see. OKAY OKAY YOU CAN STOP BOOING ME. I'm sorry! It's been months, I know, but this chapter was really hard to write and I've been blocked. I might take this story in a slightly different direction, but that just means I'm not holding back anymore. I'm writing it exactly how I want to, whether people like it or not. For a while I was too worried about people liking it than writing for me so I kinda decided not to pursue ideas that I had had planned from the beginning, ideas that would make me happy. But that didn't make me want to write it, it just made me anxious. So I got blocked.

I am so sorry about the delay. But it should be more regular from now on!

Heads up, I think romance might be a slightly bigger role in the story from here on out. It still isn't going to feature heavily, like a lot of stories on Wattpad, but it might feature more prominently than I had originally intended. This is still a found family focused story though.

Again I am so so so sorry for the months of nothing! Please comment and let me know your thoughts! It really encourages me to keep writing. Thank you!

Thank you for reading! <3
~Oz